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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 10, 1989 · Cessna 152 · N25884

Irwindale, CA

Overview

Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Irwindale, CA
Aircraft
Cessna 152
Tail Number
N25884
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX89LA155

A CESSNA 152 COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING A FORCED LANDING. AT 4,000 FT MSL, THE CFI SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE OFF POSITION TO SIMULATE AN ENG FAILURE. THE STUDENT PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE ON POSITION. THE ENG DID NOT REGAIN RPM. THE CFI THEN 'DOUBLE CHECKED' TO SEE THAT THE STUDENT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE 'ON' POSITION. THE ENG BEGAN TO FIRE AND THEN QUIT. THE CFI THEN CHECKED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AGAIN ALONG WITH THE MIXTURE CTRL, MAGNETOS, AND ENG PRIMER. AT 2000 FT MSL THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE CFI ENGAGED THE STARTER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE CFI OVERSHOT THE INTENDED LANDING AREA AND SELECTED ANOTHER ROAD AND LANDED SHORT OF IT. THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE AND NOSED OVER. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AND THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL WAS FOUND EMPTY OF FUEL. AC 61-21 STATES, IN PART, 'THE CFI SHOULD GIVE SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS BY RETARDING THE THROTTLE.'

NTSB Probable Cause

IMPROPER PROCEDURE USED BY THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR IN SIMULATING AN ENGINE FAILURE. CONTRIBUTING TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTION EXPERIENCE OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR.

Full Narrative

A CESSNA 152 COLLIDED WITH A FENCE DURING A FORCED LANDING. AT 4,000 FT MSL, THE CFI SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE OFF POSITION TO SIMULATE AN ENG FAILURE. THE STUDENT PILOT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE ON POSITION. THE ENG DID NOT REGAIN RPM. THE CFI THEN 'DOUBLE CHECKED' TO SEE THAT THE STUDENT SWITCHED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE TO THE 'ON' POSITION. THE ENG BEGAN TO FIRE AND THEN QUIT. THE CFI THEN CHECKED THE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE AGAIN ALONG WITH THE MIXTURE CTRL, MAGNETOS, AND ENG PRIMER. AT 2000 FT MSL THE PROPELLER STOPPED TURNING. THE CFI ENGAGED THE STARTER IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESTART THE ENG. THE CFI OVERSHOT THE INTENDED LANDING AREA AND SELECTED ANOTHER ROAD AND LANDED SHORT OF IT. THE ACFT STRUCK A FENCE AND NOSED OVER. THE ACFT WAS EXAMINED AND THE CARBURETOR FUEL BOWL WAS FOUND EMPTY OF FUEL. AC 61-21 STATES, IN PART, 'THE CFI SHOULD GIVE SIMULATED FORCED LANDINGS BY RETARDING THE THROTTLE.'

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:02 PDT
Nearest Airport4nm NE
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftCessna 152
Tail NumberN25884
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-L2C · Reciprocating · 110
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 22 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 8 kt
Visibility8 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data